I'm taking a college course in "career guidance" with one goal of the class figuring out what we "want to do when we grow up". Even though I'm already grown up. One of the assignments after picking a handful of careers is to interview people who are in a career you are interested in. If any current airline pilots or corporate pilots would be able to answer these questions (in interview format) I would highly appreciate it! Since some of these responses are rather personal, I invite you to message me personally instead of responding in the forum. My assignment is for U.S. based carriers, but I'd love to see responses from foreign carriers as well!

((Moderators: If this is the wrong forum, I apologize. Please move the post accordingly! Thanks!))

Here are the questions:

Name:
Job Title:
Employer:

What do you like most about your job?

What do you like least about your job?

What made you choose a career in aviation?

How did you earn your hours/experience to be a qualified candidate for an airline/flight department (if corporate)?

What personal qualities and skills are most important in your job?

What is a typical work day like for you?

What type of stresses do you experience in your job?

Is there plenty of variety in your day to day work?

If you were just starting your career over, would you pursue a career as a pilot in today's environment?

I have seen and heard conflicting evidence on pilot shortages in the future, what is your opinion?

Do you feel a particular university, training program, or even a particular degree major would be more preferred in the industry than others?

Can you give any advice to a 30+ year old who wants to some day sit in the cockpit of an airliner or business jet?

Quoting subzero (Thread starter):f you were just starting your career over, would you pursue a career as a pilot in today's environment?

Lots to say about everything, sorry I don't have time to pm...
But I think I speak for most pilots by answering this one:

Yes. I don't think anyone should become a pilot unless he/she is absolutely passionate about flying. It's a tough job, risky, unstable, hard to get into, stressful, sometimes not very rewarding and the amount of work required to keep up with things is amazing...

Most people I fly with are, like me, crazy about all things airborne since childhood. If you are, you should try to pursue that dream no matter what, lest you regret it, and if you aren't, you will likely not be able to see through the downsides of it.